The Tiruchi District Muslim United Jamaath urged the Centre and the State government to take steps for operating flights from Tiruchi for the benefit of the Haj pilgrims of the central and southern districts.
A large number of Muslims of the central and southern districts undertake Haj pilgrimage every year and they have to board the flights at Chennai. Operation of flights from Tiruchi will immensely benefit them. A resolution has been adopted at a guidance programme for the Haj pilgrims from Tiruchi, Pudukottai, Perambalur, and Ariyalur districts. Another resolution demanded that the State government take steps for constructing a branch of the Haj House run by the Haj Committee in Chennai in Tiruchi. The meeting pleaded with the Tamil Nadu Haj Committee to nominate one expert guide for every 100 pilgrims from the State during the pilgrimage.
The meeting demanded the government to increase the assistance sanctioned through the Tamil Nadu Wakfs Board for the construction and maintenance of mosques. The government should increase the reservation for Muslims from 3.5 per cent to 5 per cent and provide free house site pattas to the ulemas. M. Mohamed Ansari, president of the Jamaath, presided over the guidance programme. E.K. Jeelani Basha, president of the Al Mohammadiya Mosque, spoke. The representatives of the Tamil Nadu Haj Committee and Tamil Nadu Wakfs Board were present.
